MTN Uganda 2017 awards that recognize Ugandans who excel in digital innovation in the country are back on a high with each award winner assured to take home of US$3,000, says Olivier Prentout, the company’s Chief Marketing Officer.
During the awards, MTN will recognize both mobile and web-based applications developed by Ugandans. There are at least seven (7) categories to pick from. And among others they include; innovations in finance, agriculture and health. MTN Uganda’s commitment is to scale up sectors critical to the improvement of lives and communities through digital innovations, Prentout says.
Olivier Prentout says that recognizing and promoting local innovations is critical to the company’s vision to lead the “delivery of a bold, new digital world for MTN customers and the communities where we operate.”
“Technology is becoming an enabler in almost every sector of Uganda’s economy. In health, technology is leading to solutions on prevention. In education, people are coming up with ideas to ease the learning process. In financial services, technology is improving financial inclusion,” he says.
This is the second edition of the MTN Innovation Awards. The first awards were held in 2015, with eight projects being awarded for their outstanding contribution to society.
“The contribution to society is measured by impact especially in the long-term. Additionally, we are looking at positioning Uganda as having the innovation space and skilled individuals that can compete on the global stage,” Prentout adds.
The categories to apply for include: Best Health application, Best Education application, Best Financial Services application, Best SME application, Best Agriculture application, and Best Media and Entertainment application. The entries have to be made online.
The entry submissions will close on 6th October 2017. The awards place emphasis on applications that have been in operation since 2014. MTN will also recognize the outstanding woman in innovation, innovation achiever of the year and most innovative mobile app. The winners will be recognized at an Awards Gala to be held on November 8, 2017.
MTN Uganda has also increased the prize money from US$1,000 given to each category winner in 2015 to US$3,000.
In 2015, the winners included, ClinicMaster, BrainShare, Yo! Payments Gateway, Intelligent Works, Outbox, Fezah, Lyndsay Handler of ReadyPay – Outstanding Woman in Innovation and Solomon King of FundiBots – Innovation achiever of the year.
Facts about the awards:
- 1. Best Health Application– This award seeks to recognise applications that aim to extend reach, accessibility and efficiency in delivering health services.
- Best Education Application– The award seeks to recognize applications that are transforming the Experience and Reach of education to ordinary Ugandans.
- Best Financial Services Application– This award seeks to recognize applications that are enabling any financial inclusion.
- Best SME Application– This award seeks to recognize applications that aim to address productivity improvement in the SME sector.
5. Best Agriculture Application – The award seek
